July 07, 2015, 1:48PM

The Certificate in Native Plant Studies program at Birmingham Botanical Gardens has announced a new slate of classes for fall. Stretching from August 8 to October 24, the eight new classes will explore Alabama's biodiversity, the identification of native plants, the germination of native trees and broader concepts of botany. While each class can be taken to accrue... Full story »

April 09, 2015, 11:08AM

Spring Plant Sale gets under way today at Brookwood Village with the Preview Party and Member's-Only Sale. On Friday, April 10, the public sale kicks off the weekend from 9-7 p.m. Spring Plant Sale is also open to the public on Saturday, April 11 from 9-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 from 11-3 p.m. Admission is free, and proceeds from... Full story »

April 02, 2015, 2:09PM

Assuming you've already done the necessary homework to match the growing conditions you have at home with the preferences of your new plants, there are a few important things to remember when planting in general, and for aftercare as we move into summer. Spring planting for summer annuals and vegetables is a must for those heat-loving beauties. They need... Full story »

March 19, 2015, 10:55AM

On Saturday, March 21, the Japan-America Society of Alabama presents the tenth annual Cherry Blossom Festival from 11 - 3 p.m. in the Japanese Gardens at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The event is free to the public. The day will begin at 11 a.m. with a presentation by the Briarwood Church Japanese Children's Group, followed by remarks from Executive Director... Full story »

February 05, 2015, 11:27AM

On Saturday, February 7, Director of Education Henry Hughes brings "Plant-Soil Relationships" to the Certificate in Native Plant Studies series. The course takes place from 8:30 - 4:30 p.m., and is a core in the completion of the certificate program. All Certificate in Native Plant Studies classes can be taken a la carte, however, with no further commitment required.... Full story »

August 27, 2014, 9:41AM

On September 13, Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Executive Director and CEO Fred Spicer will lead a Members-only class, free for Members of The Gardens. "Good Things From the South" will take place from 10 - noon, and will explore Spicer's adaptation to the South from his native New Jersey. Spicer will try to answer the question: "How did this plant... Full story »

June 10, 2014, 2:54PM

On Thursday, Executive Director and CEO Fred Spicer will lead a Members-only class at Birmingham Botanical Gardens titled "Pruning: Techniques, Outcomes & Design Influences." The class will be held from 6 - 7:30 p.m. and is free to members at The Gardens. To learn more about how you can become a member at Birmingham Botanical Gardens today and take... Full story »

February 25, 2014, 9:21AM

On Monday, the Conservatory at Birmingham Botanical Gardens opened to the public for the first time in nearly three years. The Magic City landmark closed its doors in April of 2011, as a $1.3 million renovation project was necessary to preserve the facility both aesthetically and for the safety of its visitors. AL.com was on hand for a small ceremony on... Full story »

February 20, 2014, 9:21AM

On Thursday, February 27, Birmingham Botanical Gardens will continue its year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary with "Celebrating Our Roots." This event, unique to 2014, invites guests to learn how The Gardens came to be as Dr. Richard Lighty presents "Getting it Right: Lessons From the Past" from 5 - 6 p.m. in the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall. Lighty was... Full story »

February 04, 2014, 3:25PM

February offers plenty of educational opportunities and unique events at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, beginning this week with a free lecture and book signing by Birmingham-Southern professor Dr. Scot Duncan who will share Alabama's rich biodiversity in a discussion of his critically acclaimed work "Southern Wonder" on Thursday, while Saturday, the Certificate in Native Plant Studies series will continue with... Full story »

October 17, 2013, 1:51PM

This week is the annual Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Fall Plant Sale. On Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 from noon - 4 p.m., The Gardens invites customers to shop one of the widest available selections of plants in the Magic City. Like all of our great events, the proceeds fund our education programs including... Full story »

September 17, 2013, 10:01AM

On Wednesday, September 11, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens staff members joined Hands on Birmingham for the 50 Years Forward Empowerment Week Day of Service. In 1963, segregation laws made it illegal for blacks and whites to gather in Birmingham's public parks. Such laws were later repealed, making it possible for people of all races to publicly gather without... Full story »

August 08, 2013, 11:58AM

Q: August is such a dead time in my garden except for annuals – any great perennials I'm overlooking? Tiffany R. - Hoover A: Last week I wrote about surprise lilies, which are bulbs related to amaryllis. They're still blooming for us here. Another bulb that just started blooming yesterday in my home garden (see image), and the day... Full story »

August 02, 2013, 3:32PM

Q: I've seen these flowers at a neighbor's house for several years now and finally got the nerve to stop and take a picture. He calls them spider lilies but when I look that up, it's not the same. Can you tell me about these? Ken S. - Birmingham A: I have heard the name spider lily used in... Full story »

July 26, 2013, 4:21PM

Q: A friend of mine gave me some seeds of castor bean. I understand the plant is very poisonous but it is beautiful and I would like to grow it. Someone else told me it might be illegal to grow. Your advice on all of this and how to grow it, please? - Betsy W. – Clay, AL A:... Full story »

July 18, 2013, 11:20AM

Q: I have a number of rose-of-Sharon seedlings that came up near an old bush in our woods. We never noticed the old one until several large trees around it blew down in a storm and created a sunny spot. We've lived here for over ten years and last year it bloomed and caught our attention. The seedlings are... Full story »

July 02, 2013, 2:38PM

On Tuesday, June 4, the recently completed Sara Askew Jones Arbor was dedicated at the entrance of the Hess Camellia Garden at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Named for the longtime Healthy Living Editor at Southern Living, the arbor was installed by Robinson Iron Inc. and volunteer John Jones. It was made possible through a generous donation by the Jones family,... Full story »

June 28, 2013, 10:03AM

Q: We bought our house several years ago and there are a number of oakleaf hydrangeas in the plantings. Our house is not in a wooded area but in a new suburban area, so the hydrangeas were obviously planted as part of the general landscaping around the front of the house, and in the back near the deck and... Full story »

June 20, 2013, 2:46PM

Q: I have noticed that all the earliest-flowering crapemyrtles seem to be white. Are there any white ones that flower later? – Gary H., Clay, AL A: You've made a very astute observation about flower color and bloom-time. The first crapemyrtles to bloom in central Alabama, and at Birmingham Botanical Gardens are white-flowered cultivars and the species Lagerstroemia faurei [lag-er-STRO-me-uh... Full story »

May 30, 2013, 4:42PM

Q: Is there some trick to growing the native climbing hydrangea? I’ve had one that I’ve tried to grow on a tree for several years and it is barely climbing and not flowering. Help, please! – Suzanne B. – Montevallo, AL A: This is a wonderful native plant that is treasured by many southern and mid-Atlantic gardeners. Found... Full story »